Get LinkedIn with these Top Ten Groups

EMBA candidates can look up and join the following groups on LinkedIn, keeping them firmly in the business world loop.

It is no secret that LinkedIn has become the most important network for EMBA candidates to be a member of. Statistics* reveal approximately two new members are joining LinkedIn every second and to date, the world’s largest professional network has over 160 million members.

One of LinkedIn’s most valuable tools is the range of groups you can join. But which groups should EMBA candidates join, and how can they get value from them? According to John Hayes, EMEA Business Development Executive for iContact, an email and social media marketing company for small and medium sized businesses, group membership can bring about a number of benefits.

These can include the delivery of a broader insight into industry news and trends, partnership opportunities, recruitment and new job opportunities.

“One of the main reasons a business professional should join a LinkedIn group is to position themselves amongst their peers in an industry specific group,” says Hayes. “By doing this they can expand their network of industry contacts beyond their personal connections and also glean a wider insight into industry trends and opportunities, using the group as a platform to position their own company and personal brand.

“Group membership is also an ideal tool to promote your business, drive traffic to your website or blog and build your personal network,” Hayes adds.

However, it’s not enough just to join a group; the real value comes from participation. “As with all marketing, group participation needs to be relevant, interesting and timely,” says Hayes. “Try at all times to add value to group discussions. Share information freely, but don’t be overly salesy. Ask questions and engage with other members – it’s called social media for a reason.”

QS TopExecutive recommends these top ten LinkedIn groups for EMBA candidates:

Active since 2007
300,000+ members
This group discusses all aspects of project management, including software, methodology and business opportunities. It also provides a valuable forum to keep up to date on changes in the industry.

Active since 2008
350,000+ members
The largest social media marketing (SMM) group on LinkedIn, it also includes 20 different subgroups inviting discussion on specific topics in relation to SMM, such as non-profits and politics.